Question

Mr Cunningham says this to Atticus which shows how badly hit the people in the deep south of America were hit by the Great Depression in the 1920s and 30s that Mr Cunningham has to pay Atticus with Hickory nuts because he has no other way of doing it.

A) It demonstrates the prosperity of the region during that time.
B) It indicates the abundance of currency available in the area.
C) It highlights the scarcity of traditional forms of payment.
D) It shows Mr. Cunningham's generosity toward Atticus.

Answer 1

Mr. Cunningham's payment with Hickory nuts to Atticus during the Great Depression symbolizes the severe economic hardship of the time, illustrating both the widespread poverty and the rise of community support and generosity that became prevalent as a means of survival.

Step-by-step explanation:

The instance in which Mr. Cunningham pays Atticus with Hickory nuts is illustrative of the extensive poverty and hardship experienced by many during the Great Depression. With public assistance sparse and private charities overwhelmed, Americans learned to survive by whatever means possible. This could mean bartering with goods like nuts when money was scarce.

The economic downturn led to widespread unemployment, homelessness, and a shift from a culture of individualism to one of community reliance and resource-sharing. This new dynamic often resulted in acts of generosity amidst desperation, with people sharing what little they had to help one another survive. The Great Depression fundamentally altered American lives, fostering a habit of saving and a strong sense of community that would endure long after the economic crisis had passed.